Eain Phyu Soe

Narinjara News, 1 June 2024

At least 40 Arakanese peopleare suspected to be killed by the junta forces during a raid in Byine Phyu village at the outskirt of Arakan (Rakhine) capital Sittwe, formerlyknown as Akyab, said several villagers whowitnessed the horrible incident.

The victims have been identified as  UKyaw San U, U Kyaw Thein, U Kular Aung, U Pho Than Sein, U Chabu Kaung, UBauk Thar, U Ko Mo Maung (30 years old), U Khin Maung Aye (36),  U MaungThan (29),  U Kyaw Naing (42),  Ko Maug Chi (22), Ko Rahy Kyaw (21), U Aung Naing Htay (31), U Zaw Min Tun (40),  U Mang Hla U (40), UThar Cahy (30), U Munint Chay (36),  Ko Muang San (26),  U Maung HlaYay (30), Ko Maung Htwee (22), U Maung Lon Chay (40),  U Kyaw Naing (40), U Maung Thein (50),  U Maung San Thar (60), U Kyan Thar Tun (70),  Ko Maung Bu Maung (18),  U Than Htay Mg(40),  U Far Chay (50), U Ko Ko Aung (36), Ko Aung Thu Chay (29), MaungPhyo Phyo Naing (15), U Zaw Tun Naing (35), etc

The junta soldiers detained the villagers and askedthem to remove their shirts. Then they targeted the youths with tattoosrelating to Arakanese text & symbols.

"The men were asked to show their bodies and then killedthose having tattoos of Arakan Armysymbol, Arakan national flag,other Arakanese texts, etc," saidan elderly villager.

The residents stated that apprehending an imminent offensive by the AAfighters on Sittwe, the  junta forces conducted the raid on the outskirts.

"We've heard that popular singer U Kyaw Hla and his son KoDuwun Khaing were also killed.  Most of the houses in  Byine Phyuvillage were set ablaze. Other villages namely Kyay Taw Paik Seik and Ma Laungalso witnessed the destruction,” added the elderly person.

The junta soldiers entered Byine Phyu village on 29 May andcommitted war crimes against the villagers. On 31 May, they ordered everyone toleave the village. Then they set the village on fire.

A political activist from Sittwe informed Narinjara News that thesoldiers set the village on fire at around 6 pm. He estimated that 30 peoplewere killed.

Narinjara News tried to contact the residents of Byine Phyuvillage but failed as their phones were switched off. So the information aboutfatalities cannot be confrmed independently.